The Big Auction

The Wemyss Ware Cat Trail cats will be sold at a fun-packed, family-friendly auction on Saturday 3rd October 2026 at the Adam Smith Theatre. This is a one-off opportunity to buy a piece of Kirkcaldy’s Wemyss Ware story, and proceeds will be reinvested into Kirkcaldy to support future projects.

Activities are planned from 10am till 3:15pm, culminating in a flurry of bidding and a surprise finale! The auction will be led by Hamish Wilson, Senior Valuer at Bonhams in Edinburgh.

The auction is open for anyone to attend at a cost of just £5 per ticket (plus any booking fees) and includes a complimentary Wemyss Ware Cat Trail souvenir programme and auction guide worth £5.

The Big Auction has 21 lots. In addition to the 17 uniquely decorated cats there are 4 special lots:

* A programme signed by all 17 artists.
* A special ceramic Love Kirkcaldy Cat made by the Griselda Hill Pottery.
* A one-off ceramic Wally Cat by Susan McGill, and
* A Contingency Cat – a blank undecorated giant cat that was a reserve for the project but wasn't required in the end.

Grab a ticket to the auction here

Scroll down for details of the 21 lots.

Lots 1-3 are special items unique to this auction, while Lots 4-21 are all the giant cats you might have seen around Kirkcaldy. The auction will be conducted by professional auctioneers, Bonhams.

How can I bid?

There are three ways you can bid at the auction - follow the links below for more information.

1. Bid in person at the Adam Smith Theatre

2. Fill out a paper Bidding Form and email it to us

3. Fill out an online Bidding Form

You can also attend the auction as a spectator by buying a ticket for £5 and you will receive a complimentary Souvenir Programme and Auction Guide worth £5.

What happens on the day?

There are three locations for three different kinds of activities!

1. Mercat, Every One Every Day, Free but booking recommended

10am-11.30am Cat-themed crafts for all the family
11.30am–12.00pm How To Be An Auctioneer, a special workshop led by a professional auctioneer from Bonhams
10am–12.30pm Feline Face Painting by Hazel Terry

2. Town Square, Free

Cats will be on display all day.
1.00pm-1.45pm Artists will be with their cats for interviews, photos, and autographs. All welcome

3. Adam Smith Theatre, Entry including free auction catalogue £5

2.00pm-3.15pm The Big Auction. Buy your ticket from the Adam Smith Theatre box office, you will receive a free souvenir programme and auction catalogue. Arrive early! Especially if you want to register to bid for a cat.
Auction of all 21 lots by professional auctioneer from Bonhams, with a surprise guest and a special upbeat finale to Kirkcaldy’s Wemyss Ware Cat Trail!

LOT # 1 - Signed Programme

This special copy of the Souvenir Programme and Auction Catalogue has been signed by all 17 cat artists

LOT # 7 - Pineapple Botanical

By artist Dorothy Black. Renowned for her powerful draughtsmanship, Dorothy is an established artist with work held in many private and public collections, including Kirkcaldy Museum and Gallery.

This cat is decorated with several images taken from Dorothy's own observed drawings of natural forms; including pineapples, ferns, lilies, sunflowers, dandelions and poppies.

LOT # 10 - Fun Guy

By artist Rachel Devine. Rachel Devine, a Kirkcaldy artist, transforms overlooked everyday objects into enchanting, whimsical pieces, combining storytelling with artwork inspired by daydreams and fantasy.

“Fun Guy” is a whimsical nature-inspired character, perhaps lost in time and covered in moss, symbolising our hopes for regrowth and transformation, with a magically imaginative spirit, reflecting Kirkcaldy’s regeneration aims.

LOT # 12 - Asparagus Misfit the Theatre Cat

By artist Susan Warner.
A Duncan of Jordanstone graduate and resident artist at the Kings Theatre, Kirkcaldy - Susan Warner’s practice spans digital collage, typography, painting, and community arts.

Gus invites you to pause for a moment. To think of something you’d like to change, or grow, or let go of. To consider that the brightest things often have a whole world underneath them.

LOT # 16 - Wildflower

By artist Lauren Morsley. A Scottish illustrator and printmaker specialising in bold, colourful designs inspired by intriguing stories, places, people and nature. Lauren Morsley makes and sells her own prints and products alongside commission work.

Inspired by the abundance of nature found in Kirkcaldy and its park and farmland walks. This piece hopes to inspire folk to look a little closer and be curious of the nature around them.

LOT # 18 - Lino

By artist Joanna Scott. Joanna has worked across publishing, product development and arts participation for over twenty-five years. Clients have included Rainbow Magic, Harrods, Selfridges, Paddington Bear and Trestle Theatre.

Lino is painted in mid-20thC linoleum patterns and colours following orange-tabby markings, this cat celebrates Kirkcaldy’s historic linoleum industry. Lino is also an anagram of Lion.

LOT # 21 - Sweetie

By artist Robert Mach. Robert works with confectionery coverings and other foil materials, such as the iconic Tunnocks Teacake wrapper to manufacture pictures and sculptures.

Sweetie was our travelling cat, taking the Wemyss Ware Cat Trail beyond Kirkcaldy, including a special trip to Edinburgh. Designed by Robert Mach, Sweetie was inspired by the iconic Tunnock’s Teacake wrapper, with playful patterns and lines creating her own unique character.